Rockford, IL Lost Female Cat, Cleo Is Missing

Facebook Community Response

Michele S.

2 weeks ago

** Time is of the essence, for finding your lost cat. ** Your cat is probably nearby. Indoor cats usually find a hiding spot very quickly, and very close to where they escaped. Look up in the trees, and check under everything in YOUR YARD first… under decks, bushes, wood piles and sheds. Then check your neighbors yards. The best time to find your cat is at night, with a flashlight, when their eyes glow back at you. ***If your cat is scared, it will not respond to you calling him/her, so you'll have to use your eyes instead of your ears. *** ***When inside cats are suddenly outside, they can go into "survival mode,” and their entire personality changes.*** They, generally, will NOT wander. At least, not at first. (Unless they are not neutered/spayed.) Make sure to leave food and fresh water outside, in case they come out of hiding at night. Canned tuna (packed in oil) is nice and smelly. Also, a piece of your "worn" clothing, with your scent on it left outside, along with their bedding, with their scent on it, will definitely help. And, if you have a container or bag of treats that they really like.. shake it outside for your cat to hear. Also, leave your garage door or a window open a few inches in case it comes back at night. (5-7 inches.) [A special consideration in the cold weather, is to please CHECK UNDER THE HOOD of your vehicle! Oftentimes, a cat, especially an indoor only one, will seek out shelter or warmth in the engine area of your car. Do not start your vehicle, until you’ve checked! It is oftentimes fatal to your feline!] Hoping you find your cat very soon! ♥️ MS🐈

Kat E.

2 weeks ago

Go outside with a flashlight and shine it in the grass, in bushes, under decks, porches, crawl spaces, window wells, in garages, under cars, up in the trees or on a roof, across the street in bushes and look for eyes to reflect back at you. Go out and listen for sounds of movement. Walk around the neighborhood and call her. She is probably nearby. If you can, get a trail camera so you can see if she is in your yard at night. Ask permission to go and check in your neighbors’ garages, check several garages/sheds on either side of your house, in case she was locked inside and is afraid to come out. Check their yards, sheds, window wells, under porches, under the house and up in their trees too. Crack your garage open a bit so she can come back in. Put some of her used bedding inside the open door and a dish of her favorite treats. (Place the food in a saucer of water so ants can’t get to the food.) Cats lost outside usually stay quiet because they are hiding from potential predators. Look down in the sewers too because cats can jump down there to get away from a car or predator. Check under cars near your home. Check out your doors from time to time at night, especially between 1-5 am, in case she is trying to come back inside. Open the door, call her quietly and listen for movement or sounds as she may need a minute to come out of hiding. Try holding a door open for her to come in when you are calling her. Put up flyers with the photos and give one to your neighbors and one to your mail person who goes all over the neighborhood. Give one to local vets too. Keep checking at Animal Services in person every day if possible to see if she was brought in there. If your lost cat isn’t microchipped or wasn’t wearing a rabies tag, she will be held for 24 hrs. and then put up for adoption.They give stray cats a new name when they come in without identification, so don’t look for your cat by name when searching the Found cats or the cats up for Adoption. Check the online adoptable cats everyday as they do take cats to PetSmarts in Wisconsin. Animal Service’s hours are M 11-7, T-F 11-5, Sat 11-4, closed Sunday. Check the listings for adoptable cats at the area rescues like Noah’s Ark and PAWS in case she was taken to one of them. If she is chipped, notify the chip company that she is lost and be sure they have your correct contact info. Don’t put litter box out as it may attract predators or other cats who will scare your cat away from home or at least bring it in after dark. Instead, put out clothes belonging to her favorite person(s). That will be familiar and help her get home. Post photos as a lost cat on Nextdoor, winnebagoanimals.org and on Facebook at What’s Happening in Rockford and Lost dogs/Cats in Rockford. Include your phone number, especially on Pawboost. Most people who find a cat are good about getting it right back to the owner. If you are offering a reward, you may be contacted by scammers. * A scammer may request payment before showing any proof they have the pet. * Provide vague or manipulated images (can use AI to alter your own photos to look like they have the pet.) * Refuse to meet or allow you to see the pet unless you send money upfront * Ask to communicate outside of normal channels. Telegram is often used to scam people. These are tips from Pawboost on how you handle the scammers: * Ask detailed questions about your cat’s unique characteristics that aren’t shared publicly. Scammers typically can’t answer this * Have them take a photo or a video with your pet, showing a hand gesture that you ask them to make to prove they have your pet in real time. * Verify contact information. Be cautious if someone refuses to meet in a public location or communicate through traceable methods. * Please be careful with anyone claiming to have your cat and asking for a 6 digit google code to prove you are a human. It is a scam and in full force. * Beware of anyone asking for money for your cat back. NEVER send money until you have possession of your cat. Please disregard no matter how persistent the scammers are!

Kat E.

2 weeks ago

Please post her photos and your info on Nextdoor to reach more people to look for her who may not be using Facebook.

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